“Clearly, it was important, life-saving information that we were able to provide,” he says matter-of-factly. “So it really was not a hard call. I think the harder call was, 'OK, it’s time to take a break.’”

In May, the NAB’s Education Foundation presented the Service to America Television Friend in Need Award to Freedom Broadcasting’s WPEC for its “extraordinary” effort. Ironically, few saw the effort; most people heard WPEC on 15 radio stations that carried its reports.

“The most gratifying thing about the experience was the cards and e-mail that came in,” Hunsicker says. “Hundreds and hundreds of these cards and e-mails. People went out and bought $3-$4 Hallmark cards that just said, 'Thank you for keeping us safe.’ Our newsroom walls were lined with these things. It’s the most gratifying thing I’ve ever seen in this business.”

He admits, “We spent a fortune, and we lost a fortune because we didn’t play commercials.” But, he says, “I guess what I really am is an old-school broadcaster. You put your community first. You have a job to do as a broadcaster.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Freedom Broadcasting-owned WPEC-TV responded in extraordinaryways to an extraordinary pair of disasters in 2004 - Hurricane Frances - which struck Florida in September, followed by Hurricane Jeanne just 20 days later.

Americans everywhere had their eyes on what was happening during these two devastating hurricanes.

Hundreds of broadcasters up and down the East Coast went into high gear to warn their citizens. Some, like WPEC, went above and beyond the norm.

WPEC led the charge with 102 hours of non-stop coverage both during and after Frances, and 34 hours for Hurricane Jeanne.